SEVENTH GENERATION

96. Ralph James SCHARFF ⁽¹⁾ (photo) was born on Oct 12 1922 in Rose Hill, Mahaska County, Iowa, USA. He died on Nov 8 2011 in Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa, USA. He was buried on Nov 11 2011 in Forest Cemetery, Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa, USA. Section: 42, Lot: 8 Bates Funeral Chapel Ralph J. Scharff, 89, of Oskaloosa and formerly of Ottumwa, died Wedesday, November 9, 2011, at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines. He was born October 12, 1922, at Rose Hill, Iowa, the son of Garret and Lenna Martin Scharff. He graduated from Cedar High School. He attended William Penn College for a short time. In May of 1943, he entered the United States Navy and was honorably discharged on March 18, 1946. On October 11, 1947, he was united in marriage to June Smith, they later divorced. Ralph returned to a farm north of Ottumwa where he farmed and worked at John Morrell's. When that plant closed he started working as a spot welder for John Deere in Ottumwa; he retired from John Deere in 1984. Ralph stayed on the farm in retirement and raised and sold Christmas trees for many years. He was a member of the Nazarene Church. He delighted in spending time with his family. Ralph loved life; he enjoyed riding motorcycles until he was in his late 70s. One of his favorite activities was going to the YMCA to swim; he swam over a mile a day until he was in his 80s.

His family includes his three children and their spouses: Martin and Martha Scharff of Ottumwa, Carolyn and Chuck Fisher of Oskaloosa, and Penny and Larry Lewis of Cedar; eight grandchildren; twelve great grandchildren; and three great great grandchildren.

He was prededed in death by his parents; four sisters: Golda Nicholson, Beulah McVey, Sylvia Westercamp, and Dorothy Atchison; two brothers: Don and Leo Scharff.

Graveside funeral services and burial for Ralph Scharff will be held Friday, November 11, 2011, at 2 pm in the Forest Cemetery in Oskaloosa. Graveside military rites will be given by members of the Oskaloosa American Legion and V.F.w. A procession will form at the Bates Funeral Chapel at 1:45 on Friday for those wishing to go to the cemetery. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. Visitation will begin Friday after 11 am at the Bates Funeral Chapel and the family will be at the funeral chapel from 1-1:40 Friday afternoon to greet friends and relatives. Memorials may be made to the Military Honor Guard.

He was married to Letha June SMITH on Oct 14 1947. Letha June SMITH ⁽¹⁾ (photo) was born on Jun 20 1925 in Monterey, Davis County, Iowa, USA. She was buried in 2012 in Cedar Township Cemetery, Fremont, Mahaska County, Iowa, USA. She died on May 19 2012 in Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa, USA. June Scharff, 86, formerly of Ottumwa, died at 2:50 am on May 19, 2012 at the Serenity House in Oskaloosa.

She was born June 20, 1925 in Monterey, IA to Ben and Inez Henson Smith. She worked at Sears, Iowa Ordinance Plant and for the Fred Akerman family and Ottumwa Ford. She was a member of Christian Church in Montery, IA.

Surviving are two daughters, Carolyn(Chuck)Fisher of Oskaloosa and Penny(Larry)Lewis of Cedar, and a son, Martin(Martha)Scharff of Ottumwa; eight grandchildren, twelve great grandchildren and three great great grandchildren; sistser, Lois Evans of Monterey, IA.

She was preceded in death by her companion of fifty years Wayne Nabholz, two sisters, Lillith Swarts and infant sister, Donna Smith and two brothers, Elza and Jay Smith.

Her body has been cremated. Graveside services will be 3 pm Tuesday at the Cedar Township Memorial Cemetery in Fremont with Pastor Dave Childers officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Monterey Christian Church in Monterey, IA. or Serenity House in Oskaloosa. Reece Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Ralph James SCHARFF and Letha June SMITH had the following children:

+281 i. Martin Ralph SCHARFF.
+282 ii. Carolyn June SCHARFF.
+283 iii. Penelope Lynn SCHARFF.

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